Tire-vulcanizing method and apparatus



J. R. GAMMETER.

TIRE VULCANIZING METHOD AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5 1921.

1,386,465. Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

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JOHN B. GAMMETEB, Oil? AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE B. I. GOODRIGH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

Application filed April 0, 1921. Serial No. 459,045.

T c all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. GAMMETER, a

I citizen of the United States, residin at head 14. In t e latter is mounted, upon the Akron, in the county of Summit and tate of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Tire-Vulcanizing Method and Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for vulcanizing or partially vulcanlzing pneumatic tire casings or carcasses, by the application of a heat-carrying fluld to the interior of the casings. Heretofore, 1n the ordinary vulcanization, where the heat is applied to the tire through the outer mold, an imperfect product has sometimes resulted from the distortion or buckling of thefabricdue to the flow of the tread rubber under pressure of the mold.

The main objects of my invention are to provide an improved method ofv vulcanizing, adapted for quantity production, whereby distortion of the fabric conveniently can be avoided by,pre-curing the inner parts of .the tire, or by expanding the tire before or during vulcanization, and to provide improved vulcanizing means for erforming said method, among others. A urther object is to prevent the blowing or swelling of the rubber during vulcanization due to the expansion of air or gases imprisoned in the rubber.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a tire vulcanizer or heater-press embodying and adapted to carry out my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modification. 4

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view on a large scale of a tire mold, core, and tire, such as are shown in Fig.1.

Referring to the drawings: 1

10 is a vertical heater-press, 11 is the ram, 12 is the ram cylinder and 13 is the cover. The ram 11 is provided with a specially desi%ied annular head 14, formed with a s erically concave upper face 15, on which is seated a platform or platen 16 having a flat upper surface and a spherically convex bottom surface adapted to rest upon said head in ball-and-socket relation thereto, said member being formed on its under side with a cavity facin the cavity of the hollow ram ram 11, a steam trap 17. The platform 16 is formed with a central aperture 18 which is connected by a flexible conduit 19, of pipe and hose, with the inlet of said trap. The outlet pipe20, of the trap passes through the wall of the hollow ram head 14 and is adapted to discharge into the outer region of the heater-press chamberr The platen 16, being connected with the ram by the balland-socket or universal joint and to the steam trap by the flexible connection 19, is adapted to tilt upon the ram head 14 and automaticall adjust itself to the molds. 21 1s a pipe a apted to supply" fluid pressure to the vulcanlzing chamber and 22 is an outlet pipe threaded through the base of said chamber and adapted to discharge fluid from the lowermost art thereof.

The platen 16 is ormed with a circular groove in its up er face occupied by a gasket 23, adapted to e ect a fluid seal between said platform and the lowermost of a stack of annular objects such as tire molds 24 24 (Fig. 1) supported upon said platen. The upper section of each tire mold 24 is pro,- vlded on its upper surface with a similar gasket 23 adapted to effect a fluid seal against the mold next above or, in the case of the uppermost mold, against an annular top platen 25 having a pressure-tight fit in the heater-press cover 13, the stack of molds with the cover 13 and. the platform 16 thus forming an inner chamber within the heater-press. 26 is an inlet pipe mounted on the heater-press cover 13 and adapted to supply fluid pressure, through the annular platen 25, to said inner chamber. 27 is apetcock mounted in said cover, adapted to vent" said inner chamber. I do not limit my claims, however, to the locations shown for the pipes 21, 22 or 26, or the pet-cock 27.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, 28, 28 are tire cores formed with perforations 29, 29 extending through their tongues from their inner peripheries to their interior cavities 28, and with other erforations 30, 30 extending through their walls at their outer peripheries, thus lacing the inner chamber formed by the mold stack in communication with the inner surfaces of the tires 31, 31, mounted on the cores 28.

In the operation of the device as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the tines, slightly smaller than the mold cavities, are built upon the cores 28 as in the usual practice. The tires, in which the cores may be left, as shown, are placed in the molds and the latter are stacked upon the platform 16 as shown, the heater-press cover 13 is applied and secured in place as in common practice, and the ram 11 is raised, by the usual hydraulic pressure, pressing the stack of molds between the plate 25 and the platform 16, the latter, by reason of its ball-and-socket relation with the ram head 14, automatically tilting to the extent necessary approximately to equalize the pressure upon all parts of the gaskets 23, 23 to insure proper sealing of the molds against each other and against the plate 25 and the platform 16. The beads of the tires preferably are of such size relative to the cavities of the moldsrthat the closing of the molds upon them effects a seal between the cores and the molds.

Fluid pressure is then admitted through the pipe 26 to the inner chamber formed by the stack of molds, being communicated through the perforations 29, to the core cavities and from the latter through the perforations 30 to the inner surfaces of the tires to expand the latter against the walls of the mold cavities, stretching the fabric. When, steam pressure is used, the heat afi'orded thereby softens the rubber and thus facilitates the expansion of the tires. If steam meanwhile has not been applied to the chamber outside of the stack of molds, the steam within the tires will first vulcanize the inner plies thereof, but I do not wholly limit my claims to the use of steam to expand the tires nor to applying the heat first to the inner surfaces of the tires. When steam is admitted to the inner chamber, water of condensation is automatically discharged through the trap 17 and its outlet 20 into the outer chamber of the vulcanizer, from which it drains off through the pipe-22.

When the tires have been expanded, by the internal fluid pressure, against the walls of the mold cavities, with or without partial vulcanization according to whether vulcanizin steam pressure is used, steam may be app ied to the chamber outside of the molds, through the pipe 21, and the vulcanization thus effected by applyin heat to the tires through the molds 24. 11 order to control the total amount of vulcanization iven the mner and outer regions respective y of the tires, steam pressure during all or a part of the operation may be maintained in the outer chamber, or different steam or air pressures ma be maintained in the two chambers. eat su'iiicient at first to soften only the outer parts of the tires may be applied to the outer chamber, while a relatively high air pressure maybe applied to the inner chamber to expand the tire, the relatively cool rubber of the inner plies havmg little tendency to flow, while the softening of the outer plies facilitates the stretch ing of the tires. The relative soft condition of the outer plies and stiff condition of the inner plies may be obtained by partially vulcamzing the inner plies, while only warming up the outer plies, and expansion of the tires may be held in abeyance until this condition is reached by maintaining a relatively high air ressure in the outer chamber.

In the modi cation shown in Fig. 2 the cores 28 are perforated only at their inner peripheries and bead clamping ring molds 32, 32 are substituted for the full outer molds 24, said rings being adapted to engage the tires only at the beads and provided with gaskets 33, 33 adapted to seal the bead-clamping rings against each other and against the plate 25. The preliminary vulcanization of the inner plies is effected by applying steam to the inner chamber formed by the stack of cores and bead-clamping rings, the steam passing therefrom through the perforations 29 into the annular cavitles of the cores and heating the tires through the thin walls of the cores. During this operation, blowing of the rubber may be prevented by applying air pressure to the outer chamber. This modification, with the rings clamping only the bead portions of the tires, is adapted for pre-curing tire carcasses before the tread is applied thereto, as well as complete tires. In the modification shown in Fig: 2, after the preliminary vulcanization of the inner plies is effected, as stated, molds may be substituted for the bead-clamping rings 32, and the. final vulcanization effected by the usual means, or molds and apparatus such as shown in Fig. 1 may be used and steam at selected pressures may be applied to the outer and inner chambers respectively or steam may be applied to one chamber and compressed air to the other chamber.

Various further modifications may be resorted to without departin from the scope of my invention and I o not limit my claims wholly to the specific construction and procedures shown and described.

I claim: i

1. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises the steps of heating and partially vulcanizing the tire from the inside while preventing the blowing of the rubber by applying pressure to the outer surface of the tire, and then heating the tire from the outer side to further vulcanize it.

2. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which com rises the steps of heating and partially vu canizing the tire from the inside only while the tread portion is free from mold pressure, and subsequently applying mold pressure to said tread portion.

3. The method of vulranizing neumatic tires which comprises holding the tire against expansion by applying fluid under pressure to the outer surface of the tire while appl ing a heating fluid to the space within t e tire, and subsequently expanding the tire by fluid pressure.

4. he method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises introducing a heating fluid into the space within the tire while preventing blowing of the rubber by applying a fluid under pressure to the outer surface of the tire.

5. The method of'vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealing the interstices between successive tires to form a chamber, and applying fluid pressure to said chamber and heat to said tires.

6. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealin the interstices between successive tires to orm a chamber, applying differential fluid pressures to the interior and exterior respectively of said chamber, and applying heat to said tires.

7. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealing the interstices between successive tires .to form a chamber, applying difl'erent fluids under pressure to the interior and exterior respectivel of said chamber and a plying heat to sai tires.

8. e method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality ofv tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealing'the interstices between successive tires to form a chamber, and ap lying steam to the interior and compresse air to the exterior of said chamber.

9. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantiallyin axially alined relation and sealing the interstices between successive tires to form a chamber, and applymg difl'erent degrees of heat to the interior and exterior respectivel of said tires.

10. The method of vu canizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealin the interstices between suc cessive tires to orm a chamber'communicattion and scaling the interstices between successive tires form a chamber communicating with the inner surfaces of said tires,-and

- applying steam to said chamber.

12. The methodof vulcanizing pneumatic tires wh ch comprises assembhng a plurality of tires substantially in axially-alined relation and sealin the interstices between successive tires to orm a chamber communicating with the inner surfaces of said tires, and a plying steam to said chamber while app yin compressed air to the exterior thereof.

13. e method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tires substantially in axially alined relation and sealing the interstices between successive tires to form a chamber, and a plying steam first to the interior of said 0 amber and subsequently to the exterior thereof.

14. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which com rises assembling a plurality of, tire-containing molds substantially in axially alined and sealed relation to form a chamber, applying differential fluid pressure to the interior and exterior respectively of said chamber, and applying heat to said tires.

15, The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tire-contaimn molds substantially in axially alined an sealed relation to form a chamber, applying a hot fluid under pressure tothe interior of said chamber, and applying a different fluid under pressure to the exterior thereof. p

16. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tire-containing molds substantially in axially alined and sealed relation to form a chamber, and applying different degrees of heat and fluid ressure to the interior and exterior respectlvely of said chamber.

17. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a lurality of tire-containing molds substantlally 1n 'axially alined and sealed relation to-form a chamber communicating with the inner surfaces of said tires, expandin said tires by applying fluid pressure to sai chamber, and applyin heat to said tires.

18. T e method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tire-containing molds substantially in axially alined and sealed relation to forn 1 a chamber communicating with the IIIlLBIIQI surfaces of said tires, applying a heatlng fluid to said chamber while preventing expansion of the tires by applyincgl a rlwllessure'flmd to the exterior of said am r, and subsequently expanding said tires by fluid pressure.

19. The method of vulcanizing pneumatic tires which comprises assembling a plurality of tire-containing molds substantially in axially alined and sealedrelation to form a chamber and a plying steam first to the interior of said 0 amber and subsequently to the exterior thereof. a

20. Apparatus for vulcanizing tires comprising a plurality of mold mem e to be assembled substantially in alinement rs adapted to form a chamber, closure members for the ends of said chamber, and means for holding said closure members in closing position.

21. Apparatus for vu canizin tires comprising a plurality of mold mem ers adapted to be assembled substantially in alinement to form a chamber, closure members for the ends of said chamber, and means for holding said closure members in closing position, said means comprising a ram and a platform connected with said ram by a universal joint.

22. Apparatus for vulcanizing tires comprising a plurality of mold-members adapted to be assembled in stacked relation to form a chamber, sealing members between said mold-members, a ram adapted to support said mold-members, and a steam trap carried by said ram for draining said chamber.

23. In vulcanizin matie tires, the com of hollow tire cores having rforated walls and tongues, tire molds inc osing said cores and assembled substantially in axially alin'ed' and sealed relation to form a chamber, and means for closing the ends of said chamber.

24. Apparatus for vuloanizing pneumatic tires in molds, said apparatus comprising a heater-press, a ram therein, and a platform apparatus for pneuconnected with said ram by a universal joint for equalizing the ram pressure on different parts of the molds.

25. Vulcanizmg apparatus for pneumatic tires com risinga heater-press, a ram therein, a mol operated by the ram and forming a chamber, means for supplying steam to said chamber, and a steam trap carried by said ram for draining saidchamber.

26. Vulcanizing apparatus for pneumatic tires comprisin a heater-press, a ram therein having a ho low head, a tire mold forming a central chamber, a platform supportingsaid mold and supported upon said ram head by a universal joint, and a steam trap in said ram head having its inlet conduit traversing the platform for draining said chamber;

27. In vulcanizing apparatus for pneumatic tires, the combination of a heater-, press, a nluralityof hollow cores formed ination of a plurality' with perforated tongues, annular members .tires a ainst said cores and to be assembled therewith in stacked relation to form an inner chamber within the heater-press, means for sealing off the ends of said inner chamber from the outer regions of the heatergress, and independent means for applying uid pressure respectively to said inner chamber and to said outer regions.

28; In vulcanizing a paratus for pneumatic tires the combination of a heater-press, a ram therein, a having perforated walls and tongues, tire molds adapted to inclose tires mounted on said cores and to be assembled in stacked relation upon the ram to form an inner chamber withimthe heater press, means for sealing ofi the top of said inner chamber from the outer regions of the heater-press, and independent means for supplying fluid pressure respectively to said inner chamber and said outer regions.

29. In vulcanizing a paratus for pneumatic tires,.the combmation of aheater-press, a ram therein, a 'latform connected by a universal joint wit said ram, a plurality of hollow tire cores having perforated tongues, annular members adapted sealingly to press the bead portions, of tires mounted on said cores and to be assembled therewith in stacked relation toform an inner chamber within the' heater-press, a plate sealingly secured to the base of the heater-press cover, gaskets adapted to seal said annular memers. against each other and against said plate and said platform, and means for applyin fluid pressure to said inner chamber.

30. n vulcanizin apparatus for pneumatictires the combination of tire cores, annular members adapted 'sealingly topress the bead ortions o the tires against said lurality of hollow cores cores an to be assembled therewith in I JOHN R. GAMMETER.

DISCLAIMER.

1,386,465.-John R. Gammeter, Akron, Ohio. TIRE-VULOANIZINB METHOD AND Armm'ros Patent dated August 2, 1921. Disclaimer filed October S, 1924, by the assignee, The B. F. Goodrich Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to the subject matter of the following claims of said patent, to wit:

1. The method of vuloanizing neumatic tires which comprises the steps of heating and partially vulcanizing tie tire from the inside while preventing the blowing of the rubber by applying pressure to the outer surface of the tire, and then heating the tire from the outer side to further vulcanize it.

2. The method of vulcanizing pneumetic tires which comprises the steps of heating and partially vulcanizing the tire from the inside on y while the tread portion is free from mold pressure, and subsequently applying mold pressure to said tread portion.

4. The method of vulcanizi'ng neumatic tires which comprises introducin a heatin fluid into the space within he tire while preventing blowing of the rub r by a ying a fluid under pressure to the outer surface of the tire.

[ Gazette 00mm 28, 1.92 

